Elevated bacteria levels close beaches on Long Beach Island

Elevated bacteria levels have caused the closure of beaches on Long Beach Island in Long Beach Township, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection announced Tuesday.

The beaches affected are New Jersey Station OC0077 and Stockton Station OC0073.

The New Jersey State Sanitary Code requires that the concentration of bacteria not exceed 104 colonies of Enterococci bacteria per 100 milliliters of sample. A sample exceeded this water quality standard.

Enterococci is a type of bacteria that is an indicator of possible contamination within bathing waters.

Last month, 15 beaches in New Jersey were closed because of elevated bacteria levels.